THE UK's services sector grew more strongly than expected in March despite the freezing weather, suggesting the economy may narrowly avoid slipping back into recession.
Services recorded an activity reading of 52.4 in March - above the 50 mark which separates expansion from contraction, the Markit/CIPS purchasing managers index (PMI) showed.
The figure is above the 51.8 reading in February and is the strongest in seven months from a sector which makes up more than three-quarters of the economy. The economy shrank at the end of last year and another consecutive quarter of contraction would drag it into recession for the third time in five years. The official data on how the economy performed in the first quarter of 2013 will be realesed on April 25.
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